In 2003 I made my first trip to West Africa. The intersection of art and life I found in Africa continues to empower many of my works. The first trip was highly influenced by the artistic practices I encountered among the Baule, Malinki, and Senufo of Cote D’Ivoire. I traveled to Mali West African in 2004 where the Bamana, Dogon, Fulani, and Bozo people inspired work based on the idea of talismans and amulets designed to protect, heal, and empower the wearer.
A Fertile Moment where Paths Cross and Destinations Merge
Starch Resist Fabric Created by the Artist, Paper, Ink, Gesso, and Embroidery
African Reality
Graphite and Prisma Color Pencil
Bouctou’s Well
Collage, Maps, Graphite, and Shellac
Mapping a Route for Wealth and Prosperity
Starch resist Fabric Created by the Artist, Maps, and Cowrie Shells
Safari to Bouctou’s Well
Graphite, Prisma Color, and Shellac
Safeguards
Fabric and Graphite
Select Wisely Heeding the Messages from the Ancestors
Starch Resist Fabric Created by the Artist, Lace, Embroidery, and Paper
Talisman for the Journey #1
Collage, Watercolor, and Other Objects
Talisman for the Journey #2
Collage, Watercolor, and Other Objects
Talisman for the Journey #3
Collage, Watercolor, and Other Objects
Talisman for the Journey #4
Collage, Watercolor, and Other Objects
Talisman for the Journey #6
Collage, Watercolor, and Other Objects
A Journey Begins or Ends at the Crossroads
Starch Resist Fabric Created by the Artist, Paper, and Ink
The Safari Begins
Collage, Graphite, Prisma Color Pencil, and Shellac
Write it Down, Wrap it Up, Seal it Away
Collage, Fabric, Paper, and Ink
Antelope Puppet
Graphite and Shellac
Bucket of Promises
Collage, Intaglio, Prisma Color Pencil, and Gold Leaf
In Mali the Fulani Weave Straw into Gold
Collage, Graphite, Gesso, Acrylic, and Shellac
Substituting Lies for Truth, Death for Life, Hatred for Love
Collage, Pierced Metal, and Graphite
The Forces of Belief
African fabrics and Embroidery
Mali Watches
Intaglio-type
May Smiles Await on all Your Journeys
Digital Collage from Watercolors
In the Desserts of Mali the Fulani Weave Straw into Gold
Collage, Prisma Color Pencil, Graphite, and Shellac
Watching but not Waiting
Digital Collage from Watercolor
Directions are not Always Clear
Collage, Maps, Intaglio, and Other Elements
Rhonda J. Smith 